Movie spotlight: Love Different

"Love Different" is a new movie produced by Anthony Hackett of SONSET Friday Entertainment. The movie is coming soon to theaters! I'll keep you posted on the exact release date.

Meanwhile, enjoy the movie trailer above! Check out the movie's official website too, http://www.lovedifferentthemovie.com

We need movies like this that is purposed to expose stereotypes and bring people together in creating a culture of change and understanding.

I can't wait to see it! :)

NEWS Heavy On My Heart

In the news:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-university-of-baltimore-closes-amid-high-school-purge-threat-20150427-story.html#page=1

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-student-protest-message-20150429-story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/in-baltimore-a-political-test-for-a-mayor--and-a-new-governor/2015/04/28/be3233c4-ed4d-11e4-a55f-38924fca94f9_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/04/29/i-as-a-white-mom-of-two-black-children-do-not-share-baltimores-pain-instead-i-grieve-with-you/

Post-Valentine’s Day Q&A with a man who has a heart for God and old-school romance

Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) is over but why not continue to celebrate true love?

Today, let's celebrate true love from a man's point of view. Yes, we all know Valentine's Day is all about the ladies and what we want and think is romantic. But how often do we pause to think about how the gentlemen view this special day?

So here is a little Q&A about Valentine's Day with a gentleman named Randall Flash. Enjoy! 

~*~
Post-Valentine’s Day Q&A with Randall Flash:

Do you like Valentine’s Day? Why or why not?

Valentine's Day is cool in my book. I'm a huge history buff, and I have a little fascination with the original Valentine's Day story. It's a pretty cool one.

Do you have a significant other right now? If not, how did you celebrate Valentine’s Day as a single guy who is not romantically involved with a woman?

I'm legitimately single. As a single guy how do I celebrate? Every year I listen to Coltrane's: "A Love Supreme" and finish my day with another classic: "The Love Below" by Andre 3000.

Do you think this “holiday of love” puts undue pressure on men to go above and beyond with romantic gestures for their lady? 

I'm actually just a huge fan of holidays in general. People never celebrate enough, you know? Undue pressure? Hmm, I think it puts pressure on the guy, but a little pressure to go beyond for your lady ain't too bad. An extra day set apart to show your woman you care isn't the worst kind of pressure in the world. Sometimes folks do go overboard or there are some seriously high expectations coming from the other side of the court, so I think it all depends on the relationship you're in. As with any other day in your relationship the core principles stay the same: gotta know romance and you've gotta know your lady.

Why do you think women love the classic Valentine’s Day gifts—heart-shaped chocolate candy, red roses and a romantic evening out on the town?

I won't win fans for this one, but I'll say it: conditioning

Red roses as an instrument of love predates the Mileseans and the Hellenic period by a few hundred years. Candy and gifting sweets to loved ones also has a long history. Going out on the town? Most people just enjoy doing that anyway. Why women love the gifts? I'm not completely positive. Why these three are the gifts of choice around the world? Research the Pot Roast story. Therein lies the reason.

The focus is mostly on women on Feb. 14 but what about the man? Do you have any suggestions as to how the female in a relationship can express romantic gestures to her man? Or should that be required? Clearly men do not want roses! 

Gotta know romance, gotta know your guy.

No two snowflakes are exactly the same, but a woman can display romance by being a good listener. I'm pretty direct and upfront about what I want (whether games, a special dish, or a game night) and so a very nice romantic gesture from my lady to me would first start with her ears and then her heart. My love language is words of affirmation, but gifts don't hurt.

What advice do you have for men want to spoil the woman in their life on Valentine’s Day?

Listen, listen, listen. Valentines Day is only a day, but you have greater success if you use your hearing year-round. Pay attention and she will show you the way. If you can meet her need without her having to say it, you're already in the winners circle.

What words of wisdom do you have for men who do not care about Valentine’s Day whether they’re in a relationship or not?

Celebrate just to celebrate. Holidays are cool, man. If you don't want to term it "Valentine's Day,"then "SinglesAwareness Day" isn't too shabby for a secondary option.

Do you have a favorite memory of a past Valentine’s Day that was extra-special for you? 

The food. I've had some crazy Ramen feast on Valentines Day. Sigh, and Taco Bell in '08. Ah... the memories.

Single women who are Christian often say their First Love is Jesus Christ and they’re going on a “date” with Him for Valentine’s Day or simply spending time reading their Bible and growing close in their walk with the Lord. What are your thoughts on this common gesture?

I think that's pretty cool. I mean, you've got to keep that relationship with Christ in the number one spot. It works best if that message is out and front and both parties are on the same page.

What is perspective of Christian males who are single and not dating a lady on Valentine’s Day? Do they consider Jesus their “First Love” too? How does it work from a guy’s point of view? 

Christ is first. My faith is numero uno. I don't really say He is my "first love", that's not my lingo, but for sure he is the best love of all *Singing*: "Oh, how I love Jesus"...

In your honest opinion, what is the best way for a single person to spend Valentine’s Day?

Finding happiness where it could be found. As the saying goes, happiness is in the happenings. Do something fun! Get up, get out, get something going!

What do you think is the most romantic thing a guy can do for a girl on Valentine’s Day?

Spend time with her. Talk deeply, honestly. To be the best friend and lover to her through listening.

What is the most romantic love song to play or perform for your significant other on Feb. 14?

I think it depends on the young lady, but I'm partial to a Love Below. Prototype would be the song.

What words of wisdom can you share with couples who want to keep their relationship happy and healthy?

Love with your ears. Listen and respect each other. Communicate.

Thanks for the interview, Flash! I believe your words of wisdom, humor and passion for old school romance with God in the heart will inspire and encourage many people. 

Dear readers of "On My Heart," I hope you will interact with Flash in the comment section. He'll check it ever so often to reply to you. 

Here's to celebrating true love not just on Valentine's Day but year-round! Remember, even if you don't have a significant other, you have Jesus Christ who loves you with all of His Heart. *John 3:16* Trust Him in the process. *Jeremiah 29:11* Only God can provide your perfect match! 

A Message for the Ladies from Willie Moore, Jr.

A Christmas Song for Troubled Times

How to avoid writing mistakes, save money and change the world

Today we're going to talk about a very important matter-- grammar! 

As a freelance journalist for American print media, I know firsthand the value of having a good command of the English language and the importance of presenting a “clean copy” (grammar error free) of your story to your editor. If you present copy that is filled with grammatical errors, a lazy lede (the opening sentences to your news story) and careless reporting then not only will you have to redo the article, you will disappoint your editor and maybe even make them doubtful of your skills as a writer.

Luckily for me, I trained with the best all throughout my years in school: Mrs. J was my Reading and Language Arts teacher in middle school and thanks to her, I gained a strong foundation in learning the ins and outs of producing good, grammatically correct writing. Ms. C was in my honest opinion, the best English teacher a high school student could have because she taught me the value of building my vocabulary and gave me an introduction into writing papers that were precise and concise. Finally, my Journalism Professor Stacy from my undergraduate college years put the final touches on my training as a writer. Stacy not only taught me how to write news and feature stories that were precise and concise, she taught me how to tighten my writing and make my stories captivating with the human interest hook.

Since graduating from college, working at a magazine (summer internship following graduation) and continuing my professional practice as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines, I find myself exceedingly grateful for all these three teachers whose knowledge and how-to prepared me to shine as a professional writer. So when Nikolas Baron, head of SEO for Grammarly, asked me to write a relevant post about the importance of using good grammar and to promote his organization’s new infographic on this very topic, of course I agreed!

First, here’s a little bit of background information on Grammarly, as paraphrased and quoted from my e-mail correspondence with Nick:

The world’s leading writing enhancement app, commonly known as Grammarly, “checks for more than 250 types of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, enhances vocabulary usage, and suggests citations.” Recently this grammar-savvy organization conducted a writing and career-focused study in which they asked questions to over 400 freelancers in order to determine what impact writing skills have on the opportunities a person will have in their career. Grammarly published the results in an infographic which is already gaining notoriety–it has been picked up by The Huffington Post.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of good writing,” said Nikolas Baron, head of SEO for Grammarly. “Good writing is not only foundational to good communication, but it can also unlock knowledge, job opportunities, and access to education.”

Second, a little commercial from me: If you are an aspiring writer or just a student trying to get through years of schooling, I’d like to encourage you to take your Reading/Language Arts and English teachers seriously. The lessons they teach you will not only prepare you for academic success, those lessons will prepare you for life after college when you’re working in the real world. See, knowing how to write and speak flawlessly (like a Grammar King or Grammar Queen as they called it when I was in school) can help you in every aspect of life, especially in the workforce. When you can clearly communicate your thoughts, ideas, plans, goals and dreams not only are you more likely to accomplish those objectives because people understand what you’re saying and identify with you, but you just may inspire others to join you in pursuit of greatness. Words aptly spoken and career visions clearly communicated paired with a heart that cares for the welfare of others, married to actions of carrying out goodwill to humankind can change the world for the better.

So without further ado, why don’t you look at this infographic from Grammarly? Read it, study it and absorb the information then go apply it. You just may change your life, and the world, for the better.

Language rules as told by Jamila Lyiscott